Reckless Souls (Saints Academy, #1)(17)

a mental note to unpack properly later. Then I can go through everything the school has supplied, if

I’m staying.

That sounds weird on my tongue. Yesterday was an entire whirlwind of madness, and another

option was never given. Not one. Part of me questions whether I should just accept this as my fate, or

push back? But the lingering worry of all this being true, and me needing help, is the motivation I need

to get to my feet and shuffle over to the walk-in closet.

I gape in surprise, the reminder of what Noreen had said yesterday flashing in my mind as I look

over the rack of uniforms. Five hangers, five full sets of clothes, with two pairs of black shoes to

choose from sitting beneath them to the right. There’s a pair of sneakers to the bottom left, beside a

brown leather satchel, but otherwise, there’s a medium size safe that sits central on the floor and

nothing else.

There’s no combination or lock on it, which makes me wonder how it even works, then the

memory of how I got into my room yesterday replays in my mind. A hint of nerves tingle my fingertips

as I reach my hand out and place my palm against the metal. I almost think I’m being ridiculous, ready

to lift my hand when the sound of a soft click registers in my ears, and the door unlocks.

That’s cool as fuck.

Is it too soon to say I’m enjoying the perks of magic?

Opening it the rest of the way, there’s a lot of space inside, and before I even realize what I’m

doing, I rise to my feet, flip the lid on my old suitcase, and lift the dagger out of it. Even with the

minimal light peeking in through the curtains, it still shimmers like the sun in my hand. There are gems

in the handle, which look like real jewels, an array of colors that twinkle with the gold.

I just can’t wrap my head around why Pandora’s Box gave it to me.

With a shake of my head, I move back to the walk-in closet, and set the dagger down inside the

safe, closing it shut afterward. Placing my old suitcase on top of the safe, and wheeling the newer one

in from the Academy, I make sure to take the electronics out, and grab the satchel, along with a pair of

black pumps and a full uniform set.

Placing it all down on the bed, I stare at the tech spread out for a moment, trying to remember

what I would usually be doing right now. The thought of scrambling to get up and across town to

work, compared to where I am right now, feels bizarre. But I don’t have time to sit and dwell on it. I

slept like the dead last night, swirling in dreams of possibilities, and now I need to get ready.

I grab my new phone, and quickly download my favorite music app, signing in and turning the

volume to little more than a hum. The heavy bass thrums in my veins immediately, almost calming my

soul with its familiarity.

Now I just need to shower and hit today hard.

Moving toward the bathroom door, I notice it’s shut, which is a little confusing because I don’t

remember touching it last night. I frown at it for a moment, expecting the inanimate object to just give

me an explanation or jog something in my memory, before I roll my eyes, wrap my hand around the

handle and swing the door open.

Steam billows out around me just as I’m about to step in but the graphic scene playing in

technicolor freezes me to the spot. Noise infiltrates my ears all at once as the sound of the shower

running and a guy grunting falls in sync with what I’m seeing through the glass walls of the shower. I

blink a few times then pinch myself to make sure I’m not stuck in a dream.

Fingers splayed out on the tiled wall, head flopped forward as wet blond hair hangs over his

forehead. Tight coiled muscles hunch over as his other hand tightens around his cock, working his

length.

I need to move.

I can’t just stand here and watch this guy jerk off.

I can’t.

Or I shouldn’t at least. But everything about his physical appearance is just… mesmerizing.

As if sensing my presence, he tilts his head, and his eyes immediately find mine. A grin spreads

over his face as his eyes darken, but he doesn’t stop what he’s doing. If anything, he squeezes tighter,

tugs faster, groans a little louder. This asshole is clearly putting on a show.

I know because I’m watching it all unravel before me as my core tightens with desire at the pure

sex appeal of this guy.

His tongue sweeps over his bottom lip, capturing a droplet of water from the shower, before he

pushes off the tiled wall and turns to face me, his cock aimed in my direction.

Once. Twice. “Fuckkkk,” he grinds, eyes remaining locked on mine as he finds his release,

shooting it over the glass that stands between us.

A heavy silence hangs over us as I remain in the doorway, in just my oversized purple tee that hits

mid-thigh and my rosy cheeks.



“I didn’t realize I was going to be getting an audience this morning,” he says, his voice almost a

purr, and I shiver at the thought of voyeurism.

Finally finding my tongue, I fold my arms over my chest. “I didn’t realize this is a shared

bathroom,” I mumble pathetically, annoyed that my snarky side hasn’t risen to the surface quicker. But